Everyone talks about AI. But what about the systems underneath it?

In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Holger Schell, Head of Technology & Foundation, Schwarz Digits, about the infrastructure layer behind Europe’s digital future.

They explore why sovereignty is no longer just a political concept, but a technical and operational necessity. From cloud infrastructure and security to resilient architectures and trusted systems.

With TECH in Heilbronn bringing together Europe’s leading voices from business, politics, and science, this episode highlights a perspective often overlooked in AI discussions:

Innovation means nothing without stable systems beneath it.

If you're thinking about digital infrastructure, resilience, sovereignty, or long-term transformation — this episode is for you."

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team. With the Technology Experience Convention Heilbronn (TECH), Handelsblatt Media Group, Handelsblatt and Schwarz Digits are creating a strategic platform to strengthen the European tech ecosystem. TECH‘s mission is to establish a „cluster of optimism“, connecting Europe’s most influential leaders across technology, industry, politics, and academia. More at tech-europe.org